Introduction: Diospyros peregrina (Gaertn.) is a well-known ethnomedicinal plant, and the fruits of this plant have been traditionally used in different activities for its diverse phytochemicals. This research work aimed to screen bioactive phytochemicals and therapeutic activity from the fruits of D. peregrine. Methods: GC-MS analysis was performed to screen the phytochemicals of the essential oil extracted by hydro-distillation. Disc diffusion was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration and inhibitory activities as well as to evaluate DPPH, superoxide, and nitric oxide radical scavenging tests. Results: The study found that 40 compounds made up 89.09% of the total oil, with the main constituents being oleik asit with Linolenic acid and methyl ester (22.20%), linoleic acid and methyl ester (12.93%), palmitic acid and methyl ester (10.12%), and stearic acid and methyl ester (8.71%). The essential oil showed a maximum inhibition zone of 20.2±1.1 mm against Staphylococcus aureus MEBTN2 and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 62.5 μl/mL for both E. coli MEBTN6 and Staphylococcus aureus MEBTN2, and MIC of Ethyl acetate extract was 62.5 μg/mL for Bacillus subtilis RKP-2. Significant superoxide and nitric oxide radical scavenging was noted with IC50 values of 25.33, 47.13, 75.25, and 87.13 μg/mL, respectively, whereas the essential oil and ethyl acetate extracts demonstrated robust DPPH scavenging (IC50 values of 17.21 and 25.53 μg/mL). Conclusion: This study highlighted the potential therapeutic application of D. peregrine-derived essential oil and organic solvent extracts.

Ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvent extraction of flavonoids from Chinese bayberry leaves: Optimization, molecular mechanism, and antioxidant evaluation.

Alchornea cordifolia (Euphorbiaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used in West Africa for its numerous therapeutic properties. This study aimed to characterize the phytochemical composition and evaluate the antioxidant activity of aqueous, methanolic, and ethanolic extracts from leaves collected in Yamoussoukro (Côte d’Ivoire). Extracts were obtained by maceration in different solvents and subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening. Total polyphenol, flavonoid, and tannin contents were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS•⁺ radical scavenging assays. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of sterols and polyterpenes, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and quinone compounds, with variations depending on the extraction solvent. The aqueous extract showed the highest total polyphenol content (126.25 ± 2.01 mg GAE/g), while methanolic and ethanolic extracts exhibited high flavonoid contents (342.51 ± 3.62 and 307.83 ± 1.07 mg QE/kg, respectively). Tannins were more abundant in the aqueous extract. Antioxidant assays demonstrated dose-dependent radical scavenging activity, with organic extracts showing greater effectiveness, particularly the ethanolic extract, which exhibited the lowest IC₅₀ values in both assays. These findings indicate that Alchornea cordifolia leaves are a valuable source of bioactive compounds with strong antioxidant potential, supporting their use in nutraceutical and phytotherapeutic development.

Cow bone serves as a sustainable source for organic phosphorus extraction and eco-friendly waste disposal. This study investigates the production of liquid fertilizer from cow bones through acidification (50%, 60%, and 70% nitric acid) and subsequent neutralization with ammonia. Quantitative analysis revealed total phosphorus concentrations of 3850 ± 120 mg/L (0.385% w/w), 4620 ± 145 mg/L (0.462% w/w), and 5280 ± 160 mg/L (0.528% w/w) for 50%, 60%, and 70% acid-treated samples, respectively. Total nitrogen content ranged from 1.85 ± 0.08% to 2.43 ± 0.11% w/w, with nitrate-nitrogen comprising 68-72% and ammonium-nitrogen 28-32%. Calcium concentrations ranged from 1,250 ± 65 to 1,840 ± 85 mg/L. Phosphorus recovery efficiency increased from 62.3 ± 2.8% to 78.1 ± 3.2% with increasing acid concentration. The fertilizers exhibited pH of 6.4-6.9 and electrical conductivity of 4.8-6.2 mS/cm. UV/Vis spectroscopy revealed shifts in absorption peaks following treatment, indicating molecular structural changes. FTIR analysis confirmed removal of organic components (disappearance of -C-H bonds at 2922.2 cm-1 and 2853.3 cm-1) while preserving essential phosphate ions (1004.5-1030.6 cm-1) and nitrogen-containing functional groups (1628.8-1638.2 cm-1). This study provides quantitative evidence supporting the potential of cow bone-derived liquid fertilizer as a sustainable alternative for addressing agricultural nutrient deficiencies while minimizing waste.

Abstract To address the issues of low purity, poor stability and environmental pollution associated with traditional organic solvent extraction methods for lutein production, and to meet the requirements for food-grade lutein in industrial applications, this study developed a microemulsion system using n-propyl acetate as the oil phase, Tween 80 as the surfactant and ethanol as the co-surfactant. A microemulsion with 60% water content was successfully formulated as the reaction medium. Lipase was introduced to catalyse the hydrolysis of lutein esters, followed by optimization of key reaction parameters and evaluation of the stability of the resulting free lutein. The results demonstrated that under optimized conditions, the conversion rate of lutein ester reached 72.53 ± 2.80%, representing a 153.87% improvement compared with the 28.57 ± 1.81% conversion achieved when using an acetonitrile–aqueous solution as the enzymatic reaction medium. Furthermore, the lutein microemulsion exhibited superior storage and thermal stability relative to lutein in ethanol solution. Notably, all components of the microemulsion system are approved food additives, making the system suitable for use in food manufacturing. This work provides a solid scientific foundation and a feasible technical pathway for the production of food-grade lutein. With further research, this approach has the potential to become an efficient and environmentally sustainable method for the extraction of water-insoluble pigments.

Airborne particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture whose health effects depend not only on mass concentration but also on chemical composition and toxicological properties. This study investigated the mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and DNA damage of organic extracts of PM10 collected at an urban background and a suburban background site in the Po Valley (Piedmont Region, Northern Italy) during summer 2023 and winter 2024. Chemical characterization of the corresponding PM10 samples was performed to explore associations between biological responses and PM constituents. Winter samples exhibited significantly higher PM10 mass concentrations and elevated levels of combustion-related components, including polycyclic aromatic hydocarbons (PAHs), levoglucosan, and anthropogenic components. Consistently, all toxicological endpoints showed markedly stronger effects during winter, with clear dose-dependent responses for cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and DNA damage, and widespread mutagenicity across S. typhimurium strains (±S9). In contrast, summer samples induced low or negligible biological effects. Multivariate analyses (PCA and hierarchical clustering) revealed a clear seasonal separation of PM10 samples, with winter extracts characterized by higher loadings of combustion-related markers (PAHs, levoglucosan) and associations with mutagenicity, oxidative stress, and DNA damage, while PM10 mass showed no clear relationship with most biological endpoints. These findings highlight the importance of integrating effect-based assays into air quality assessment frameworks, as they capture the biological reactivity of PM mixtures and seasonal differences not evident from conventional metrics. Such approaches may support the evaluation of health risks in the context of the revised European air quality directive, which calls for the inclusion of emerging pollutants and toxicity-related metrics.

Lung alveolar cell reactivity to organic fractions extracted from air particulate matter collected in an African megacity.

There are about 25 Eupatorium species that have been studied for their chemical constituents. Eupatorium clematideum (Wall. Ex DC.) Sch. Bip. (syn. Praxelis clematidea R.M. King & H. Rob.) in Vietnam has not been investigated for chemical metabolites from organic extracts, although the study of volatile terpenoids in the essential oils from different parts of the plant proved biological activities of the oil chemicals. A phytochemical study of the whole plant of E. clematideum in Vietnam led to the isolation of phytosterol, fatty acids, flavonoids, and a cyclohexanetriol. The identification of their structures was based on the analysis of MS and NMR spectroscopic data followed by data comparison with the literature values. The flavone (compounds 6 and 7) and flavonol (compound 5) are two types of flavonoids found in the organic extracts of E. clematideum; their biological activities should orientate the preparation of flavonoid-enriched extracts with pharmacological potentials from E. clematideum.

Introduction Marine macroalgae possess very complex and diverse lipid composition. Fatty acids from marine macroalgae are a sustainable and valuable source of essential nutrients with significant health benefits, including cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory properties, and wide applications in the nutraceutical and pharmacological industries. Methods To evaluate the fatty acids composition of macroalgae, from Ulvophyceae class, collected from northern Tunisian coast Cap Zebib (CZ), Rafraf (R) Ghar el Melh lagoon (G), Carthage bay (C), La Marsa (M), Tunis North Lake (L), ten species were studied ( Bryopsis muscosa ( R ) , Caulerpa prolifera (L), Caulerpa racemosa (R), Cladophora laetivirens (CZ, R), Codium fragile (M), Codium tomentosum (R), Dasycladus vermicularis (CZ), Halimeda tuna (M), Ulva rigida (G) and Ulva linza (C). Fatty acid contents and specific profiles were determined by gas-chromatography. To assess the nutritional quality and potential health benefits of the studied macroalgae, the unsaturation index atherogenic and thrombogenic index ((U.I.), AI and TI)) were calculated. Additionally, the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of crude organic algal extracts against pathogenic bacteria and two microalgal species were evaluated. Results As results, total fatty acid contents, expressed per percentage of dry weight, ranged from 0.04% to 0.70%. Generally, saturated fatty acids (SFA) were major components percentage of total FA content 75.02%, with palmitic acid (C16:0) being the most abundant and Codium tomentosum containing the highest amount. D. vermicularis showed the better profile in terms of FA composition with a low AI (1.75) and a very low TI (0.4), making it an excellent source of healthy lipids. Ulva linza and Bryopsis muscosa exhibited the most important spectrum of antibacterial activity, inhibiting the growth of multiple strains as P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis . Conclusion This study provides a comprehensive overview of the lipid profiles of some green macroalgae and their potential applications in food and drug industries, with a particular emphasis on their health implications and antimicrobial properties.

The objective of this study was to use plant models, Allium cepa and Lepidium sativum, to assess the genotoxic effects of the urban particulate matter (PM) collected in a Northern Italian town. Aqueous extracts of different particle sizes (PM10–3, PM3–0.5, PM0.5) were tested alongside the organic extracts through the standard Ames test. The organic particulate matter extracts were subjected to mutagenicity testing in the Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 (without and with metabolic activation), whereas the aqueous extracts were evaluated for genotoxicity in the emerging seedlings of L. sativum and in the root tips of A. cepa bulbs using the comet test to detect the primary DNA damage. Furthermore, the micronuclei frequency was assessed in the bulbs of A. cepa. As expected, the organic extracts of PM3–0.5 and PM0.5 induced point mutations in bacteria. The aqueous extracts of the finest fractions caused a significant increase in genotoxic damage in both plant models. These findings indicate that the two plant models (L. sativum seeds and A. cepa bulbs) are able to detect the genotoxicity of aqueous extracts of air pollutants, with many potential advantages as screening-level tools to complement Ames testing for an easier assessment of urban air quality in terms of DNA toxicity.

The seeds of Alangium salvifolium Linn. have been traditionally noted for their diverse biological activities, which include antidiabetic, anticancer, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, laxative, and antiepileptic effects. This study aimed to validate these traditional claims and assess the seeds of Alangium salvifolium through various organic extracts to evaluate their antidiabetic, antiepileptic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Extracts of Alangium salvifolium seeds were prepared using chloroform, ethanol, and water, followed by phytochemical screening and pharmacological evaluation. The acute toxicity assessment indicated that the chloroform, ethanol, and aqueous extracts of Alangium salvifolium seeds are non-toxic at a fixed dosage of 2000 mg/kg. Among the three extracts, the ethanol extract demonstrated significant (p < 0.01) antidiabetic, antiepileptic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, and tannins. The findings of this study support the traditional claims made by Ayurvedic practitioners. Nevertheless, the specific chemical constituents responsible for these pharmacological activities require further investigation.

Effective treatment of neurological disorders remains a major clinical challenge due to the restrictive nature of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which limits the entry of most therapeutic agents into the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we investigated the in vivo biodistribution, safety, and CNS targeting ability of fourth generation (G4) PAMAM dendrimers, containing 70% hydroxyl and 30% amine surface groups (G4 70/30) following intranasal administration in C57BL/6J mice. Male and female mice were administered daily intranasal doses of Cy5.5-labeled G4 70/30 PAMAM dendrimers for 4 weeks, while control animals received Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS; Gibco, Waltham, MA, USA). Whole-body fluorescence imaging was conducted weekly to assess biodistribution, followed by organ extraction and fluorescence microscopy to evaluate tissue-level accumulation. The results revealed substantial accumulation of dendrimers in the brain, with no signs of toxicity in major organs including the lungs, livers, and kidneys. Notably, male mice exhibited significantly higher fluorescent intensity in the brain compared to females. These findings support the safety and effectiveness of G4 70/30 PAMAM dendrimers for intranasal delivery and highlight their potential as carriers for CNS-targeted therapies, including drugs and nucleic acids, in the treatment of neurological disorders.

Investigations into the antimicrobial and antifungal efficacy of Cassia species, particularly Cassia fistula Linn., reveal substantial bioactivity in extracts prepared from leaves, fruit husks, and other plant parts using solvents such as methanol, ethanol, water, n-hexane, and chloroform. Phytochemical analyses indicate the presence of diverse secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, alkaloids, and polyphenols, which are considered responsible for the observed biological effects.(1) In vitro evaluations employing agar well diffusion, disc diffusion, and minimum inhibitory concentration assays demonstrate pronounced inhibitory activity against clinically relevant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, notably Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as pathogenic fungi such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger(2), and dandruff-associated Malassezia species. Organic solvent extracts, particularly methanolic and n-hexane fractions, consistently exhibit stronger antimicrobial and antifungal activities, with higher concentrations producing greater zones of inhibition, suggesting a concentration-dependent response. Collectively, these findings underscore the significant therapeutic potential of Cassia fistula as a natural source of antimicrobial and anti-dandruff agents and support its traditional medicinal applications,(3) while emphasizing the need for further in vivo investigations and mechanistic studies to validate its role in developing plant-based alternatives to combat microbial resistance.

The antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of many microorganisms to conventional antibiotics poses a serious threat to human health. The situation is further compounded by the development of tumours arising from complex infections and vice versa due to an immunocompromised immune system. The objective of the study is to assess the antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and phytochemical components of the selected medicinal plants’ extracts. The microdilution broth assay was used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the organic extracts against food-borne and human-infecting pathogens. Additionally, the anti-proliferative effects of the extracts were evaluated in vitro using a tetrazolium-based calorimetric (MTT) assay against a line of human colorectal carcinoma (Caco-2), human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). Additionally, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), and possible iron chelation were used to measure the extracts’ antioxidant activity. Gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) was used to evaluate the phytochemical analysis. Talinum caffrum (Thumb. Eckl. & Zeyhr.) extract exhibited the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.05 mg/ml against Salmonella arizonae, while extracts from Cassia abbreviata Oliv. subsp. beareana (Holmes) Brenan and Peltophorum africanum Sond. exhibited a similar MIC value against Shigella flexneri. P. africanum extracts exhibited a potent inhibition of the MCF-7 cell line, yielding an IC50 value of 1.80 µg/ml. In comparison, T. caffrum extracts exhibited an LC50 value of 5.66 µg/ml against the HeLa cell line and a notable LC50 value of 1.12 and 1.11 µg/ml against DPPH and Fe2+, respectively. The organic extract from T. caffrum contains 4-methyl-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl) pent-1-ene (20.803%), 2-furancarboxylic acid, 2-methylbutyl ester (16.909%), and 2-methylbutyl ester (13.702%). The selected medicinal plants exhibited a potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activity. The observed results, in a way, support the use of the selected medicinal plant species in treating various infections, as complementary and alternative medicines, particularly against opportunistic microbes and cancer by improving and supporting the immune system through many means, such as quenching free radicals, alleviating tumour and microbial growth.

The emergence of drug-resistant Candida species has intensified efforts to discover novel bioactive compounds. Antarctic environments harbor psychrophilic microorganisms that produce unique secondary metabolites adapted to extreme conditions, making them valuable natural resources for drug discovery. During the 2020 Antarctic Scientific Expedition, we collected 19 sediment samples from the South Shetland Islands and isolated 14 fungal strains belonging to Cladosporium, Oidiodendron, Penicillium, Pseudeurotium, and Pseudogymnoascus genera. Total organic extracts obtained from 21-day cultures were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against pathogenic yeasts and bacteria. Oidiodendron sp. (ECA57-20) and Pseudogymnoascus sp. (ECA57-61) demonstrated strong anti-Candida activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 7.81 to 62.5 µg/mL against C. albicans, Pichia kudriavzevii (C. krusei), C. tropicalis, Nakaseomyces glabratus (C. glabrata), and Clavispora lusitaniae (C. lusitaniae). GC-MS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry) metabolomic profiling suggests a broad diversity of secondary metabolites across active strains, which may contribute to the observed biological activities. These findings support the potential of Antarctic fungi as sources of alternative antifungal agents.

Mutagenesis of PM2.5 water-bioavailable fraction in reference area for atmospheric pollution.

Some species of the genus Cousinia (family Asteraceae) are traditionally used to treat various diseases, and scientific research has demonstrated that they possess interesting biological activities. This study offers the first comprehensive evaluation of the aerial parts of Cousinia iconica Hub.-Mor, incorporating phytochemical profiling, bioactivity assays, and network pharmacology. High-resolution LC–ESI-QTOF–MS analysis revealed that the plant is rich in phenolic acids, hydroxy- and methoxy-flavonoid glycosides, and lignans. The aqueous extract contained the highest levels of total phenolics (78 mg gallic acid equivalents/g) and flavonoids (15.5 mg rutin equivalents/g). It also exhibited the strongest radical scavenging, reducing power, and metal chelating activities. Biological tests showed that, while all three organic extracts had similar cytotoxic effects against the RKO colorectal cancer cell line, none demonstrated measurable antiviral activity against HHV-1 or human coxsackievirus B3. In silico analyses supported these results by identifying 22 disease-relevant targets of C. iconica compounds linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Molecular docking showed strong binding affinities of key phytochemicals to cancer-related targets (CDK2, CHEK1, PDGFRA) and metabolic enzymes (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, amylase, glucosidase). Overall, the results highlight C. iconica as a promising source of bioactive phenolic compounds with significant cytotoxic potential, though its antiviral effects appear limited. Further research, especially on isolated constituents and mechanism-based assays, is necessary to better understand its therapeutic potential.

Drug resistance in microorganisms is a growing global threat, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic agents. This study evaluates the antibacterial and anti-SARS-CoV potential of fungal endophytes isolated from A. marmelos. Among 16 endophytes screened, the ethyl acetate extract of the #3 AMLBF strain (Fusarium vanettenii) exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity against several pathogens. This extract showed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.49 to 0.8µg/ml. GC/MS analysis of the active extract identified 45 compounds. Furthermore, molecular docking against the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein revealed nine potential ligands, with Anthraergosta-5,7,9,22-tetren-3-ol p-chlorobenzoate showing the most potent binding affinity (-10.2kcal/mol), a value exceeding that of the standard chloroquine (-6.5kcal/mol). These results indicate that the organic extract from this fungal strain is a promising candidate for the discovery of new antimicrobial agents.

Determining gene expression changes in cochlear components is important for understanding the mechanisms underlying hearing loss. Here, we present a protocol for the isolation of total RNA from mouse cochleae across a wide range of ages (2-25 weeks old) using organic solvent extraction. We describe the steps for obtaining the entire cochlea from mice and isolating high-quality total RNA suitable for further reverse transcription and PCR. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Rías et al.1.

Applicability of MTBE-based lipid extraction methods assisted by microwave in food analysis. Statistical comparison and greenness evaluation with Soxhlet and Matyash.